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Aviva Open Singapore 2007 Pictures

SIS Bids All A Warm Welcome

Our elegant diamond-shaped SIS (Singapore Indoor Stadium) once again opens its doors to the badminton fraternity for this year's special Super Series (SS) that will see the start of the players vying intensely for Beijing Olympics qualifying points.

Only the top ranked players are admitted to the main draw and many are trying hard to fight for admission through the qualifiers, with some having to play as many as three matches in a day - morning, afternoon and evening!

Former world number 1, Wong Choong Hann, was not spared either and he endured the ignominy of having to qualify for yet another SS because of the injury sustained to his Achilles tendon during the last Thomas Cup competition. This time WCH had only to play two matches in the qualifiers, which he won easily and even sailed through Round 1 yesterday by beating Richard Vaughan (Wales) 21-18, 21-16.

Yeah! It was started Year 2002 but it was not noticable at the beginning as most of the work were underground. This is for the underground Mass Rapid Transit (Train). It should be over before next year. But one more major construction (demolition of existing national outdoor stadium and re-construction of a new) will be commenced a few months later. It will take more 3-4 years. So it should not be surprised if you see them in next years also.

Originally Posted by kwun

thanks Loh for the photos!

i am surprised they are still doing construction near SIS. hasn't that been the case since 2004??

Yeah! It was started Year 2002 but it was not noticable at the beginning as most of the work were underground. This is for the underground Mass Rapid Transit (Train). It should be over before next year. But one more major construction (demolition of existing national outdoor stadium and re-construction of a new) will be commenced a few months later. It will take more 3-4 years. So it should not be surprised if you see them in next years also.

oh i c. i thought they were just fixing the road...

but that's a good development. taking the taxi to the SIS was not very economical...

As a matter of fact..

...the query asked by kwun is somewhat discussed in one of last yr's S'pore Open's thread(involving Loh, kyiyu, myself and others). I believe in this link: http://www.badmintoncentral.com/foru...ad.php?t=33674
Btw, yes, an MRT to and from Kallang(SIS) area would be much appreciated. I had the same experience of taking a taxi to and from Kallang(SIS) area, after studying the MRT route and realized the MRT service ended a few miles from SIS; and the only way for me to reach SIS, from that MRT Kallang stop, is either to take a bus or taxi or walk..thankfully taxis are pretty much abound there, albeit a bit on the costly side..

Some Pics on the Qualifying Rounds

Most times the qualifying rounds receive scant attention. But the qualifiers really fought long and hard before four each from all the five events can advance to the main draw by having to play two to three matches in just one day.

Of a total 58 matches played, 22 matches or 38% went into rubber games, with 7 matches coming from the final round before the winners gained entry to the main draw.

Apart from Wong Choong Hann having to qualify, another great name is Zhou Mi, a former Singapore Open champion who is making a comeback from back injury and now representing Hong Kong. Whilst WCH made it to R2 yesterday, ZM was unfortunately knocked out by no other than ex-compatriot, Pi Hongyan (France #6) in three hard fought games, 19-21, 21-17, 22-20. Maybe Pi's request for time to attend to her ankle injury during the remaining few points made ZM lose her rhythm and focus. Many thought ZM should have won.

Local boy Aaron Tan caused a slight ripple when he overcame Indonesia's top junior, Tommy Sugiarto, son of Indonesia's former top singles player, Icuk Sugiarto, 11-2, 21-16, 21-19. But Aaron later succumbed to Vietnam's top player, Nguyen Tien Minh, 21-14, 21-15. NTM unfortunately lost to another up-and-coming Indonesian player, Alymshah in straight games for a slot in the main draw.

Other notable names that advanced included Lee Yun Hwa (Korea), Lydia Cheah (Malaysia) and Cheng Shao-Chieh (Taipeh) for WS. Only one Singapore WD pair made it to the main draw. Vanessa Neo and Shinta Mulia Sari did not have to play Fiona McKee and Charmaine Reid of Canada as the latter were promoted to the main draw, presumably because of late withdrawals. But the Singaporean pair managed to beat Ng Hui Lin and Woon Khe Wei (Malaysia) 23-21, 24-22 earlier.

Specially taken for Yannie are some pics on Malaysian player, Gan Teik Chai, in his XD partnership with Haw Chiou Hwee, who looks like Zhou Mi.

Lastly, there's a special BC member who was caught on camera holding a camera. Can you guess his name?

Thanks for the new pics...

Originally Posted by Loh

Lastly, there's a special BC member who was caught on camera holding a camera. Can you guess his name?

..Loh ..Looking at the pic, esp. the 1st pic, the player resembles a bit like Howard Bach(U.S. player)..While on the 3rd pic, below that, notice the coach sitting behind the player, he looks eerily similar to Li Mao?!?! ..Btw, the "special" BC member carrying that camera in the last pic, hmm, let me guess, could he be none other than Mr. Raphael Sachetat(BWF's official photographer)??..

Haha..

Originally Posted by Loh

But Chris, did you spot Hendrawan?

..that's what i meant, just testing you or anyone else..haha..In the first pic, he disappeared, but then reappeared to do his LiMao impersonation..
Oh, so that's Tommy Sugiarto, got a much clearer picture now...